Despite being disrupted and detained by police in Suva, activists in Fiji have demanded that Australia and New Zealand stand with the Pacific in their call for climate justice.
Twenty seven climate justice activist, mostly women were detained by Police Wednesday for protesting outside the Australian High Commission.
“If Australia and New Zealand really care about the Pacific as a partner, they must stand with us to call for global climate justice at the upcoming COP21 summit in Paris later this year,” said the protesters.
The peaceful demonstration included civil society organizations, women’s groups and students who urged the Australian and New Zealand governments to support the Pacific call at the COP21 summit in Paris, France in November.
Pacific people are calling for action as time nears before a legally binding global climate change agreement is reached in Paris.
One of the organizers, Noelene Nabulivou says there is a need for urgent action to support the Pacific as there is only a few days remaining before leaders meet at the United Nations in New York (25-27 September) and a month until the close of the final negotiations in Bonn (23-27 October)and 10 weeks till COP21 in Paris (30 November to 11 December).
She added that the Pacific must have the strongest possible and legally binding climate change agreement, if all Pacific island communities are to have a chance to survive and thrive.
Similar demonstrations are expected to take place around the region as Pacific Island Leaders prepare to attend the COP21 summit.
Meanwhile, the 27 activists were interviewed and released by Police.